Chain-making machine.



S. D. LOGKE.

GHAIN MAKING MACHINE.

um) Jun 4, 1908. xmmwm JAN. 17. m4.

1,107,809. Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

4 BHEETS-SHEET 1.

APPLICATION I' //2?1 a v9 I atmnu,

S. D. LOCKE. CHAYN MKING MACHINE. APPLIGTXON Hmm 1:1'NB4,1908. xmnzwnn auf w, umi

1,107,809. Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

S. D. LGKE.

cam mmm mAcHmE. APPLIOATION PILIID JUNE 1908. BNEWED JAN. 17. W14- Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

'Jira Wi n czczo WMA UNI'IED STATES PTENT oFFi-ons i v V sYLvANUs D. Loans, or RIDGEPQRT, coNN-Eomcvlr; Aesmnon To isoCKE s'rEEn BELT COMPANY, or animal-1203r; con'imc'ricur, a CORPORATION o-F .NEW Yong,

' Bridgeport, inthe county of Fairfield and *cha'in links 'from she'et metal.

State of Connecticut, have inventedjcertain -new and useful Improvements'in Chain-` Making Machines, 'of which the following is' a s eci'fieation, reference being had therem to tlhe acompanying drawings.

This invention relates 'to improvementsl m machines 'for making Achain links, more particuarly to Va machine for making 'drive It isan im-A provement upon the machines shown, described andpateiited Ii'nlLetters Patent of the :UnitediStates No. 580,564, to Viellard and Oss\vald,=-paitent`ed April'lth, 1897; No. '580,579 to S. D. Locke, patent'edAp'ril 13th, and No. 633,371 to'S; Skogse, patented Se itember 19th, 1899. i i ne of the lobjects of my invention is to provide in a Chain machine of the class described, a pitch correcting or sizing device for` correct-img the pitch 4of the vlinks and making the links'uni'form in siec.

Another object of my invention isto pro- Vvide in such a machine a simple-and accurate gage for positioning and centering the strip of Sheet metal to beacted upon rclative= i' to the sc'oring chisels and forming elements 'of the dics.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a machine'with an improved link extraeting device; 'positively ctuated and of i35 Simple. construction,

Another object of my invention is to prorido such a `'chain making;r 'machine -with scoring knires or cliisels arranged to import; lines (f*scor^e longitudinal of the strip o'f/ metal und parallel 'cxccpt near tlicir -r'ar ends, where thcy'dircrge slightly for the` purpose of providing at the small end bar of the links sufficient ('leara'nce tovfacilitatethe coupiing of the small end bar to the next link of the series` Other objects of my invention will be b-- \'ions from the drawings and description of a machine herein chosen for the purpose of illnstration.

Fignre 1 is a front view` partly in section, of a machine embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a view, partly in side elevation and partlv in section, of the stripfeed mechanism on the machine. Fig. 3 is a front view vSpec. 1'tlcai:tlor 'of Letters Patent. Application' med Inne 4,1808, szizi np. 488,7'114.

-iienewca January V17, 191;. serial na. ai's.

' .of ir-1:ox:tifnj of the strip feed-;mechanisim detached. Fig. 4 is 'f'ront view' of the form- Patentd Aeg, 18, '1911.

ing dies, extractin'g rnechanism, and isizing .mechsnism. Fig. 5 is 4m' 'enlarge'd view. of

the dies, showing them in section, withv a strip of nie'talbet-wcenthem; the 'sizi-ng mecha-nismj'is asofshown. 'F ig. 6 i'san edge view of a strip of metal in process of. formation into a chain, some formed and cupled chain links 'bein shown. Fig. -7 i's 'if-'plan view of the meta strip and Chain shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is 'a bottom plan 'viewof the movable die and stretcher mechnnisin, 9 is ai top plan view o'f the statiorlnry die.

'Fig. 10 isa bottom plan view 'ofe section of-v the stripof metal, 'showing-the sc'oring. -Fi 11 is la perspcctive view of a 'completed lini Fig. 12 is a section on the Vline 12-12,'01:

Fig. 13-, illn'struting a part of theextracting 1 mechenism. Fig. 13 is a plan lview of a poritionof the extracting mechanism. Fig. 14

is .a section 'on the line 1434-14, Fig. 13. Fig. l'is 'a front view'of the metal -str-ip guide, detached. Fig. 16 is a front view of a modified form of metal istripguide, detachcd. Fig. v17 is a Vertical central section illnstrating the'se of the modified tjpe of strip guide on the die holder 39. 1

In the drawin'gs 1 indicates as -anj ',l.e1- tirety the main frame of the mach'i'e'comi` prising uprights 2, 3, and a bedf-'rranged between the uprights. i

' 5 is a vertically recipwntble slidemount- ,ed to move np andzdjwn in guides 6, 7, on

the main frame; `i

87 is g-'ff' in drive shnft transversely mont'd/iii bearings at the upper end of the l 9 is a ccnntershaft .tx'tnsi-'ersely mounted upon the main 'frame and extending from one side to the other thereof. At one side of the mein 'frame the" counter shaft carries a locse pulley 10, a/fast pulley 11, and a fly wheel 12. At the tier side of the frame the said counter shaftr has mount'- i ed loosely upon it. n pinion :1"3 carrying one element. 14' of a clutch 14, the other element ,14n of which is splin'ed to' the countershaft 9.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for throwing the longitudinally movable element- 14'* of said clutch into and out vof engagement with'the element 14', so as to cov Fig.

man 18 to the slide 5.

As the construction of the ress in itself .i forms no part of my invention, any well 'known type of press having a reciprocatable slide and a'bed or bolster beneath it may be .readiiy adapted to o erate the chain link |'forming and assemb ing mechanism to be hereinafte escribed, and, n'o further descriptionv of the press shown in the drawings isdeemed necessary, as ,this particular press.

has been choen simply for illustrative purpoz-:es and not in any limiting Sense.

I metal Any suitable mechanism may beV attached to the ress for feeding thefstock or strip of om which the chain links are to be formed across the bed or bolster of the press. For the'purpose ofillustration 'I have, in the drawings, shown a feed mechanism of which 19 is a bracket secured to the standard 3 of the frame andhaving a'horizontally disposed platform 20, the inner end of which extends into a hole 3' through the standard 3. i

' 21, 21, are side walls extending vei'tically upwai'd, one at each side of the platform 20. 22 is a horizontally reciprocatable slide suitably mounted at either sidein guide- 'ways in the said side walls 21. It rests upon a horizontally disposed friction plate 23 having downwardiy.extending pins 24, 24, each surrounded by a coil spring beai'ing,r at its upper end against the plate 23 and at its lower end against the platform 20 so as to provide a-yielding support for the slide which normally teiids to press tlie slide against the upper walls of the guideivays to insure the closing of the feed jaws, to' be hereinafter described, before the slidel cominences to move forward.

2G is' a gripping piece carried 'by the slithl 22, havingan iipwardl')y turned jaw 26' adapted to engage the under surface of the stock or strip of metal to be fed across the bed or bolster.

27 i ai] oscilltltnble gripping dopnhaving;r a jaw 27' adapted to engnge the. uppc' surface of the strip of metal to be fed. at a point directly above tlurgfrippiupr jaw 26'. This gripping jaw 27 is pivotallf mounted between upwardly extending lugs oi' cars 22'. 22'. on the slide 22` and rarries an upwai'dly extendingr arin 28.

29 is a bell crank level' pivotally connected at 29" between the side walls 21 of the platform 20.

30 is a rod pivotally '"nnecte d at. 30' to the upper end of the arin '28. and at 302' to the free end of the arm 29a of the hell crank llever 29.

31 is an adjustable stop for limiting ,the

throw of the arm 28 in clockwork direction. This stop preferably consistsof a screw extending through a threaded opening in al vof the arm 28 and causes the gripping bodying my' .ing rod 33, the other end of which is suitably connected to the free end of the arm 29h of the bell crank lever 29.

34, 34, and 35, 35, are straightening .rolls for the strip of metal or stock. These rolls are horizontally dis osed and suitably mounted' between the side walls 21, 21 on the platform 20. A strip of metal, indicated by` 36, is directedebetiveen the rollsY 34, 34, and 35, 35, and between the gripping lips 26' and 27'. The dog 27 and arm 28 are shaped and proportioned to have a slight'rocking motion relative to the slide 22, so that in normal operation, as the connecting rod 30 is drawn to the right in Figs. 1 and 2, the gripping jaw 27' is rocked out ofengagement with the upper surface of the strip of metal't. The arni 28 then engages the stop 31 and the slide 22 recedes with the connecting rod 30. Upon the reversal of travel of the rod 30, it' rocks forward the upper end piw 27' to en age the upper surface of the strip 36, there y gi'ipping the said strip fii'mly between the aws 26' and 27', and the slide 22 and strip 36 are together fed forward.

As the dies or forming elements 'for striking up and foriniiig each chain link from a' for tl:i. purpose. which, in my opinion, were the` invention of Herman Usswald of Brookl \'n. New York. and to the invention of which l make no claim.

37 is a rarrier or holder for the movable die. it l:ein, r suitably connected to the slide 38 represents as an entircty the movable die. it being suitably seated and held in the holder 37. a 'lt) represents a bolster or die bed for the stutionary die. lt is dt'tavhabtv su'ui'ed to the bed 4 in ai i suitable manner. i

-ltl represents as un entii'ety a stationary die suitably secured in the die bed 31).

The dies 38 and 40. which co'perate with each other to form and assemble the links.l are arranged iii longitudinal alinement with the line of feed of` the strip 36 and Aarev pi'operly centei'ed 'of feed.

41, 42. are scoring knives or chisels cini'elative to the said liiie the right hand end of the movable die 38 and adapted to impart lines of score to the upper surface of the strip of metal, which lines are parallel in the direction of the feed of the said' strip with the exception of a slight diver- 1 invention and arranged at' llO I w 'oo "Bythefcomhined action lof. this element genee at their right lrand ends. 'The' divergence froml parallelism of the right hand ends of the chisels is indicated 'at 41", 42, :md is for a purpose to bo hereinafter descrihed. 113, 44, are correspo'nding sco'ring' I knives or chisels carried by the 'sttionry for a "Of the di 88 and tO,-45'is a. severing und copernte with a cuttin'' die and nrranged to impart lines of score to. the under surface. ofl the strip of metal, each of'whicli lines is directly beneath a line of score imparted by one of the upper scoring knives. Attheirvfrontends', e'aeh of the; scoring knives or chsels 43, 44,' is preferably bentor cu'r'ved inwardly1 as 'indicated at 412,42, respectvely. Preferahly, these front ends of vthe iscoring knives are curvilinear; in Shape and .extend inwardly and rearwardy,

purpose to be-hereinnfter described.

' 'm'ent 'on the -movab'ledie 38,1;bont which the rnetnlfor formig the smal-lerl-end her-or pintle-ofeaeh .lin'lcis bent or crimped.. In

front 'of this formcr 49'is arecess 50',and in -f'ront-of-it is nn irre'gular shaped end har forlningz-punch 'element- 51 consisting of Jtwo snhstnntial quarterci'rcles' 511', 6D. z

'1:52 is'r'n for'ming and'bendin projectionf m the stationm'y'die. it being a apted to enter the'recess 50 in the movable die.

52' is a, shouider on the projec'tion 52 adpted tofold or crimp the metal for the small end of the link against the ourved end of the element 49 on the movahle die.

i-l'is a scoring knifeon4 tlu` stntionary (lie :idapted to impart. n. transverse score to the stripof metal along'the l'ine'of cverance of two links which are to adjoin'en'ch,other und in conjunctio'n .With the forming-rornt'rs 52". 52". isv ndapted to force the metal. otlhe link to follow the quarter circles 51'. 51". on the former 51. This' scorin' knife 53 is 'm verticnl nlinernent with the line of intersection' of the .said two, uarter ircies of the. [moch element 51. In' advance of .the saidpnuch -clement 5'1 the mnvahle dieisreessed as in'- dif'ated a't 54. to allow ('lear-anee forvthe free upturnin' of the long lip of themetal bhmk for 'n lin, which at this-'step of its formution projccts vnpwardly 'from the metal stti'p.

At 56 the stationcry die isrecessed to re.-

f ceive a Cutting or seering'knife 57 on the t is arnahged to .propvij oentoring or t morzxhh'. die, the edge 56.' -bcin n-krfife edge' to work in Vvonjnnction with te-knife-'l to. Sever the meta-.l stri .lmniediafelyoinront of the ('uttin i lini'florounding and formation .Ofthe smallend lxir of- 'each link iny Cooperation with ;the recessed section 59 of'the stationary die. At

57, the movnble die' -is shaped' as in icatedl at 58 to.v 'complete .the-

60 the inovable die'is recessedfor the purpose of Vengnging the longer section o'r lip of metal turned np from 'the' central portion of each link bla-nk and bending, curlingsand' conformin it tothe lc-yli'n'clricl- Shape desired, .nt te' samev time causing it 'to encir'- clezthe 'small end her or'pintle ofthelink in front -of it, thereby couoling or attach-ing these' links together, -The-stationary die .is

recessed. at IGI to -coperate .with` the reoe'ssedg-portion 60 of the m'ova'hle (lie in the` Vfinal shupngfand forining ofthe large end bar of-cach link. i 62 is a proje'ction. extending tx'ansversely across the recessed portion (31, .of the stationary die. It servcs ,to preven't the .ends of the-lips of metal forming the large end or sproeket bar-.of each link fr'Om'engn-ging with each other, and` to spncethem apart, predetermined distance.. i

"Here'tofore ,some ditliculty. vhzis heen'v porienced in feeding 'the' strip `of; metal centrally between the idies,in` such mnner that the 'scorrig k'nives'ind foriningelemen'tswill 'act' to form links sym'metrical on' .either side of thei'r longitudina'l' axis, tht -.is.ll with-side' bnrs'- of snbsta ntially. .t-he. .sa me width and uniformlfyy` .spaced fromvsaid lon'gitndmal nxis-` of the linkr-1.' lT his. difli'culty- Ihave overc'omeby nttachingn strip gage or -feed 'nge between the feed mechnnisr'n and'the d'ivs., ln' Ethe diawings it is indica'-t=ed ns 'an e'ntir'ty; ly ('13. Tt preferably consists of 'a lmr ofi 'metal nrrangd transvesely on the stntif-nary die holder tlfL'and suitfihly seciu't'djrin pmition adjziccnt .to ,the-right-hand end f th stationnry die 40. In the top of thisnieco of. metal is cut n V-shaped groove.

65 with the n\'i.=. of the Vin the vcrtif'al ('en'- tral longitudimil piano of. tlit`v (lit-s. The walls-of this V-slmpt-d zi'oo're :tre ni'eft-rahlif elerz'led soinl'rrhzit -zihoxio the. horizontnl plant' of.thstntioimry die :ind the \\-'iltl|'-`of tlmV-shnnrd groove at. its middle s'ex'tically is pi'efi'r-.ill v of the width. of the standard' size strip to ht' lused-with flieset of dies to wiiirh thegaze is ntta'hed. The tziperof this gage allows. for Variation in width of the .sti'in of metal 3G.- so as to insure the he strip despite its vai'intion in iridth. e

lt is essential that some means he.- provided for eXti-actingr thelinks from the dies after the/y have been completely formed and for delivvring them, one after the other, from the mzu'hine. Of' my improved extrzu-ting mechnnism. i??? is a ('hain guide.

com rising urofbars 66', 66', rigidl-y-secured at t eir inner ends to the die bed 39; and projecting into the opening 3* through the adjacent '-wall of the main`frame of the machine. These bai's arev longitudinally grooved and reressed, as indicated -at 67 to eonstitiite a guideu'ay for the. Chain. The hars. are recessed at 66" toreceive'a swingable cover plate GR whieli'is pivotallv conne'r'ted at. G9 between u'pu'ardly projecting ;cars 66 on the saidV .guide bars.

68' is a thumb nut extending through a slot 68' in the. cover plate 68' and'detachably `shaft 71 and having its tceth. in the plane ofthe paw] '74;

7G is :'flug or projeelion carried by'the slide 13, It is pivotalljv connected at 7G' to a rod 76', the. lou'er end of which is pivotally connected at 76" to the arm 77 is-a spring having one'fend' Sec'ured at 77' tof'the frame of the machine. a'nd its other end hearingz against the teeth of the 'snroeket Wheel 70 to.offr a fricltional resista-nce'tothe rotation of the latter.

T'n the inanufactui'e of ehain from sheet metal in which the' end'bars of the links are' foi'med b i'ollinz up a section of'metal. Variation in piteh of the link is quite certain to arise. due to the vai'i-itions i'n thickj iief-s ofthe iuetahstoek. lii all drive chains 'made from sheet metal of n'hieh a'm :iwar'e7 and in which the links are fornied in dies. the outside dimenioris of the ;nd 'bai's as ('ui'ved or rolled up by the dies. a-ro sub- .stautialli' vuniforni. The inside dimeiisions. huu'evei'. of the largeend oigsproeket liars ofeaeh link. u'hieh eneirelethe .small eiid h'fii' of an ;idjoining link. i'ary in 'accordanee With the thiekness of the metal. Consequentl\'..the thieker the metal the: sliorter the ehain aiid the thinncr theiinetal the longer the ehain. AThis` being the case. I have found it essential to, einploy'a device for correeting the pitch of the. link and making it uniform throughout the-rhii. lf a series of links is'subjected-to a stretelh- .ing action in.order 'tomake the pitch length ofthe .series correct. there is no' assurance that the individual links of the series .will be of the proper pitch; some links will be of longer piteh than otheri's. I'have, therefore, found it desirahle to subject each link fi'ont .surface 81* of 4the said fingei'.

'individually to a sizin and correcting. de-

viee,preferably' while t e link isa still in'the machine, so as to insure uniformity of pitch.

of the link ii'respective'of Variation in thickness of' the stock of metal. Such a sizing or itch eorrecting device is indicated in the' rawings as an 'entirety by 78 and is ai'- ranged to operate siinultaneously with`the link. forming dies,l thus avo'iding a sepa.-' rate operation outside 'of the machine forl the sizingl andl (',orrectingV of the pith of the links. Of this' sizing or pitch .correcting den-'ice 78,. 7-9 is an arm-extending-.ferward from and preferabiy detachably secured-.to the die holder This arm.'79 .has f'ormod.` preferably integrally with it. a downwardly extending finger 80 which is-pointedat its` lowei'- end as indi-v cated at 81. the vear surface 81 'vof the 'said pointed finger being. shorter than and at. a greater incliuation to the horizontalthan the This finger 80 is arraiired to' enter the sprocket i'penin'g iii the last link hut one of the links forfiied -in the machine.

82 is a block or finger pivotally connected lat 8:2' i'i lthe. bifurcated end'of the arm T9. This blockl oi'ffinger extendsv downivardzly beneath the ariii 79,* as indieated at 82a and is adapted toenter.. the sprocket opening iii the link next precedirigithe link entered by the finger 80.

83 is anadjustn'ient s-rew fitted in the fin- ,Qertv and' adapted, to extend on the rear sideof the latter and hear against the arm 79. 'Its pui'pcse to adjust' the said finger 8'2 about the axis of-thepivot 8'2' and to- Ward -er from the finger 80. VThe adjustment Wheel-83' for the sicrew. 83 has; a

toethed ei' sei'rated periphery' 83''.l

84 is a lock pawl extending-throughan openingr iii the forward projecti'on 82" of the iig'ei' 82. and engagingjwith the periphery of the thumh wheel 83" to hold theV wheelat "any point of adjustment.

S5 is a spring hearing at one end against lhe'loek pawl S4 `and haring its other end; .e'ui'el at S5' to the finger 8'2. -vThe distaiv'e l.=etu'een the. front v'all of the downirard .extension S22'1 Vofthe tinge'rt82 and the iio i-ear wall of thefingerSO remains substanlially Constant u'hen the machine is.in operation. should be. these siziiig-fingers bring it up to proper piteh by stretching it.-l In practice., I

have found it desirable vto form and arrange-` the dies 38 and 40 for making of the desired lf a link'is 'slierter in pil"h than it and proper pitch, ch'ain links from th'e thin' j nest Sections of the strip of steel used, de-

pendin upon the stretcher o r pitcheorrecting device 78 to draw the links forinedV from the thicker Sections of the strip of 'metal vu'p` By employing with a set of forming a sizingV and Pitch oorcting device such as just described not only .is a separateoperationoutside the miibhine with the form' ing `dies,obriatcd, but as'the pitch of each link is ('orrected immediately after the for' mation of thelink, it is prs ihle to check' pitch, the adjustmnt of' the attachment 78 ('r the d'ies to make them so can be readily 7and quickly made before much material has heen spoiled.

'l`he operation of the machine will be reallily understood. recteol through the feed mechanism until the gripping jaws 26'. 27', of the feed mechanism can engage with it. Power is-then `applied through the ei rntershaft' 9 to netuate thefeed' mechanism and slide The stripfl is guided andcentered by the gag G4 so as-t'* lie lproperlv between t1 dies 3 and 40. Then the slide desrends tlzefcor- 1 inglknives 41. 42 ('n the slide impart to thel upper surface of'the strip of metal lines of score 80, 81, as indicated in Fig. 7, and the j sccring chisels 43, 44. o n the stationary'die bed impart to the under surface of the strip of metal lines of score 82, 83. as indicated in Fig. 10. W' hen the slide'next ascends, the feed rnechanism feedsforward the'etrip of metal (ne step and the first fcrming ele` ments of the dies cperate on the strip. The strip is fed forward step by step at leach elevvat-ion of the slide, the dics Operating onv each link blank toform a completed link. After the first crmpleted link has been crmed, the operator extracts it from the dies and positicns it to he ccupled to the next succeeding, link. The operator conlinucs to extract and advance the links thusl therewith, that no sharp 'corner exists be'- frrmecl-and coupled together until the first one of said links is engagcd by a tooth on the sprccket wheel 70. Thereafter the ektracting niechanism opera-tes to automaticallyextractihe chain links frcm the dics' -and advance them one step ata time.

With the particular selL of'forming dies advisable to have the cxtracting mechanism (zperate to draw the last formed link forward so that its small end bar is slightly Ln front of its prcper position to be coupled to the next linll` tobe f'. rnied. This is done in order to fbiiitate the proper fcrward feed of the metal strip fm' operation upon it by the fcrming elements which complete the forming 'of a link. .XS the slide descends after the last fcrmed link hasy been extracted hv the eatracting mechauism, the inelined surface 81" of the pitch correcting finger 80 engages the large end bar of said link and presses the link rearwardly until its small A; strip (f metal 36 is dibar is properly centered relative to the final 'link forming elements of the dies. 'The ;sijrh correctmg cr sizing fingers 80, 82a, opz -rate at each descent of the slide to enter iwo coupled links in the chain guide' 66 and 'dretch the links up to gage, if required.

It is generally understood that.Y in rolled I or drawnmetal, .such as is employed in the making of Sheet metal drive chain links, fibers of the metal arrangc themselves longitudinally of the strip of metal, or parallel to the direction in which thel metal passes through the rolls or is drawn. It is believed 'that this fibrous nature of the metal is, 'to a certain extent, responsible for the tendencv of the metal of which the end bars of the v links are formed. to crack or tem* away from points at the ends of the lines of scoring for the side bars in all the earlier knovn forms; :of Sheet metal drive chain links. 'At any i z rate. and for example, in many sheet metal links of the general construction shown iu lLetters Patent of the United States, No.

` i (333,371, to G. `Skogse, patentcd September i 19th, 1899, after the metal of the end bars is 1 bent. o r urved into final Shape, cracks in thel metal are 'noticeable leading from the ends of the lines of scoringg. `Where this is the ;I case, and the link is subjeted to a tensile strain, the end bara are liable to tear out or shear commencing at the said crack. By scoring the metal of the linkv transversely l from the ends of the longitudinal lines of score for the side bars, which latter scores extend substantially in the lines of arrangement of the fibers of the metal, I overcome the' tendency of' the metal of the end bars to crack or tear along the line of fiberl at the ends of the side bar scoringrasit is bent or Curved into Shape.. At the same time, by said transverse scoring, the fibers of the metal are so disarranged at the end of the longitudinal scoring and immediately in line i tween the metal of the end bar and the metal l of the side bar and a fillet 85 is formed to i strengthen the link at thislpoint. In fact, the corners between the end and the side bars of'my improved link are built up or filled in instead of being sharply defined substancase Wit all earlier Sheet metal drive chain links of which I am aware. VVhen a tensile strain is a plied to one of my improved links, no" s arply defined corners exist betweeh the end bars and the side bars where the transverse scoring is done, and from illustrated in the drawings, I have found it tially ri ht angle corners, as has been the which the end bar will readily -tear outa the tendcncy of the metal to shear or tear along the lines of scoring which are substantially in line with or parallel to the lines of application of strain on the link. The Cliver gence at the real' end of each link of the lines of scoring for ,he side bars, tends to in..

,tire length, as *illustrated in the said Skogse patent hereinbefore referred to. There the lines of score for the side bars thus taper throughout their entire length, the sprocket opening through the link is of uneven dimensions and the side bars of the link do not run uliiformly relative to the sprockct wheel.

Fnrtherniore, Where a relatively narrow side bar is required to begin with, the said taper scoring tends to weaken the side bar more than is advisable. Again, where chain having its links thus taper scored is used on a horizontal drive over small sprocket Wheels and 'the lower run of the chain is active, the upper run may sag sufliciently to engage with the links of the lower run and have one of the narrow lips of the' large end bar of a link on the upper run enter the opening of and become Wedged in one of the links of the lower run with resultant damage and stoppagelof the machine. I have found that the only place Where clearance for the narrow lip of the large end bar is required, is immediately adjacent to the small end bar of the link with which the said narrow lip is ('oupled`v ('.onsequentlv the slightly diverging scoring adjacent to the small end bar of one of my improved links, accomplishes all of the desired results and obviates the difliculties and disadvantages of the earlier taper scoring for the side bars.

In the majority of instnnces the strips of metal used in these machines is of suficient thickness to insure that the part of the strip being acted upon bv the dieswill 'spring up away from the stationary die as the niovable die is elevated. .The V-shaped gage 64 is `raied above Vthe stationary die so as to reonire a slizht hending downward ,of the strip of metal as the'dies come together. Where. however. the strip of metal quite thin and does not possess suflicient spring action to insure that itl free end will spring up away from the stationary die when the 'movahle die is elevated. l have found it ad visable to slightly change the position of the V-shaped gage and to provide a strip llfting element between it and the dies. This mdi tled construction is illustra-ted in Figs, 18 and 17. 85 is a block of metal detachably .-;ecored to the 'die bed 89. It has formed in it an inverted V-shapcd groove 87, which 'J'rooi'e at its horizontal center, issubstam tially the standard width 'of the strip ofinetal to he fed to the dies. In front of this gaze 86 the metal of the die bed is vertically recessed, as indicated at 88, to receive a spring' pin 89 lwhich is normally pressed npwardly by a-spring 90. The opn eration of this modified gage and spring pin will be readily understood. 'The strip of metal 36 is directed through the gage and over the .spring pin 89, which letter bears against the under surface of thestrip and ,normally presses it upwardly into the gage. After each working stroke of the slide' as it is elerated, the spring pinv 89 pmes the free end of the strip of metal upwai'dly and awav from the stationary die and also presses the strip of metal against the walls Stf of the V-shaped groove 8'Z, so as to insure anv sense limiting.

While in the drawings, transverse sooring at the end's of the longitudinaliines of score is shown only on the under side of the metal strip 3G when it is in the machine and at the front end `of the link blank, similar' transverse scores may be made in both surfaces of the link blank and at bot-h ends of the longitudinal' lines of score have found. hoivever, in'practice, that this'transverse scoring at the ends of the links whereby the large end bars are formed and oni on one surface of the link blank, is su cient to effect the desired results.

The cover 68 for the. chain guide is preferahlv hinged in order to facilitate access to the interior of the guide for the purpose of directing chain over the sprocketwheel 70.

What claim isl. In a machine of the class described, the ;'(rnbination lwith means for i`.ransfoi'min `g` n strip of metal-into a series of cminectedl chain links` of devices arranged adjacent to said strip transforming` means for succes- Vsii'elv (-orrectmgr the pitch of each link as it completely formed.

In a machine vof the class described, the combination with means for transforming a strip of metal into a. series of con- Lwigsocnected chain links, of defvices for simultaneonsly eori'recting',V the fpii'eh of formed links duringthe formiition of other links;

3; 'In a machine of' the'olasi; desrribed, the combination. with means for t-ransforminq ;1. strip of'snetiil into asf'ries of connected' chain links, of 'devices for vt'iorrecting' the 'pitt-h of the links imm'ediately after their fori-nution and before they leave the mavlnne. v i.

'4. In a machine of the class described. -the wimbination with a stionary die and a moivable die adapted to transforni a strip of metal into ii'serie; of connected links, of a devii'e morable lwith said,v movable die for' correcting* the pitch of the formed links.

vvsi; In a machine of the class dscribed, the combination with a stationary die and a morahle die ada'pted to transform a strip of metal into a ,series of connected links,

rund a holder-[for said movable die, of a de-` ice carried by said holder for the movable 'through the opening iii the'next form'ed link in the series.

7.' In' a machine of the class desribed, .the

combination with a' stationai'y' die and a movable die adapted'toytransform a strip of metal into a seriesv of connected links, and a holder for said ni'ovable diepf a pitch'cor-' rectin'g` device for the formed links carried by said holder for the movable' die and cornprising two fingers,"one adapted to be projected through the opening' in one formed link, and the other adapted to be projected through the opening in the'next formed link in the series, and means for adjusting one of said ifingers relative to the other.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with means for transforming a strip of metal into a series of connected Chain links, of a rotary device for positio1iing the links between the"dies and forextracting the formed links from said trans forming means, and means for actuating said ro'tary device. ,w

9.'- In a machine of the class described, the combination with av Set of dies, one movable and the other stationary, adapted to transform a strip of metal into a series of conncct'ed chain' links, of a rotary device for po-. sitioningrthe links between the dies and for cxtracting the foi'medlinks from between 'said dies, and means for ac'tuating said rotary device simultaneously with the move. lments of said movable die.

10. In n machine of the class described,

;the combination with aset of dies, onel movable and the other stationnry, adapted to transform o lstrip of metal into a series of connected Chain links, of a'rotar device for positionifng the links between t e dies and lfor extracitino' the formed links` from be- 'iivcen said.dies,.a reciproeatable holder for san] m'ovable die, 'and means connectin said 'remprotable holderimd said rotary evice io actua-te the latter simultaneously with the.-

movement of said movable die;V w

ll. In a machine of the'class desoribed, the combination with a set ofe dies, one mov able and the other stationai'y, adapted to' lransform a strip of metal into a series of zconnected chain links, and a reciprocatable holder for said morable die, of a sprocket'v wheel arranged to engagethe formed links' fone' after another for positioning the last formed link between the dies and extracting;

.the formed links' step' by step .away from said dics, and actuating mechanism .for said sprocket wheel connected Wit-li said reciprocatable holder and uctuated thereby.

12'. 'lin a mnchinoof the class vdescribed,

the combination with a set of dies adapted to transfoi'm a vstrip'of metal into o. series of' connected' chain links, 'of a guide for the formed links, a sprocketlwlieelvarranged to 'engage the lformed links one after the' other fo-r 'positicning the last formed link bo! t'ween the dies and extracting theformed'| links step byv'stcp through the said guide, and means forV .act-uating said sprocret Wheel. r l13. In amachine of the class described, the combination with .a setof dies adapted lo transform a strip of metal into a series of connected Chain links, of a guide for the formed Chain links, the said guide being formed with a hinged cover-portion to permit the positioning of'the formed links Valong the guide, a sprocket wheel projecting into said guide for positioning the 3 last formed links! between the dies and' for .ex tracting the connected chain links 'mtlxe die, and means for actuating said prockiwheel.

14. In a machine of the class describef,

the combination-with a of metal Shaping and forming dies, an it feed mechanism i for a stri of metal avgagefor centering the strip aving a \f-shaped groove with the walls of which the edges of the metal strip engage. w

15. In a machine lof the class described, the combination with a set of metal Shaping and forming dies, and a feed mechanism for a strip of metal. of 'a gage for centcring the strip arranged between said dies and said 'Jil feed niechanismv and having a V-shaped groove with the'walls of which the edges of ilie metal strip engage.,

16. In a machine of the class described, the combinationwitli statioiiary aiid moval'zle Shaping and forniing dies an'd a feed mechanism foi' a strip of metal, of a stalionai'y gage for ceiitei'ing the strip ai" i'anged between said stationai'y die and said l'eed mechanismA and having a' V-shaped groove with the walls of which the edges of the metal strip engage. I L

IT. In a machine of tlie class desci'ibed, the combination with stationai'y and movable Shaping and formiiig dies and a feed mechanism for a strip of metal, of a station'- ai'y gage for centering'the strip arranged between said stationary die and said feed meclianism and having a V-shaped, groove with the walls of which the edges of the metal strip engage, and a spring pin arianged between said stationari die and said centering gage and adapted io normally press the strip of metal upwardly against the walls of said V-shaped groove' in the gage.

18. In a machine for making chain links from sheet metal, the combination with a set of link forining and Shaping dies, of'scor' ing knives ari'anged forward or in front of the `fori'ning and Shaping dies and parallel to each other except at their rear ends where they diyerge slightly from each other.

19. In a machine for making chain links from sheet5 metal, the comhination With a set of link forming and Shaping dies, of scoring knives arraiiged forward or in front of the said link formiiig and shapingdies for loiigitudinally scor'ng the strip of metal at either side thereof, and having curved ends to transversely score the strip of metal,

20. Iii a machine for making chain links from sheetmetal, the combination with a set of, link foi'ming and Shaping dies, of scoringknives ai'i'anged forward or in front ot' the said li'nk forming and Shaping dies for longitudinally scoring the strip of metal at either side thereof, andl having their frontl ends curved to transverely score the strip of metal, and their rear ends diverging slightly relative 'to each other. i.

' 21. In a m: hine of the class described, .in combination With a set of link forniing and' shaping dies, of scoring knives arranged for- Ward or in front of the said link forming and shapin dies and in alinementwith each other, and having ciirved ends, said scoring knives being adapted, one to score a link blank on its under surface on a loiigitudinal line with a Curved en'd extension, and the other to si 1 ilarly score the upper surface of the link blank.

22. In a machine of the class described, the combination witli means for transfor'ming a strip of metal into a seri.es of connected Chain links, of a guide for the formed 4links rigidly .supported adjacent, to the link forming mcchaiiism, said guide comprising upper and lower walls and the lower wall being foi'med with a longitudinal opening thei'ein. and rotary'extracting mechanism pi'ojecting through 'said opening to move the chain links.

,23. In a machine of the class described, the combination with means comprising a stationary die, and a movable die, for transfcrniing a strip of metal into a series of connected cliain links, a guide comprising upper and lower walls carried by the statioii-zgi'y die, i'oai'y extracting mechanisni mounted in said guide for positioning the last| formed link between the dies a'nd for moving the chain links away from the dies and connecticns between `said extracting niechanisin and the mov'able die actiiating the said extracting mech'anism.

24. In a machine* of the class described, i

the combination with means, including a stationa'ry die and a movable die, for,v transforaV ing a strip of metal into a series of con- 'nected drive links, of devices for correct-ing the pitch of said links successively, the said devices being arranged adjacent to the said strip transforming means and Controlled by the movable die thereof and comprising a pair of fingers'arranged to enter two adjoining links after they are forined. the rear wall of the finger immediately adjacent 'to said strip transfoi'ming means being inclined and ai'ranged to engage the large end bar of the adjacent link.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.

SYLVANUS D. LOCKE.

lVit'nesses E. S. BNKB, WM. A. REDDN 

